Telegraph-key.



UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

FRANK J. RAAB, OF TOLEDO, OHIO.

TELEGRAPH-KEY.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 673,449, dated May '7,1901.

Application filed June 14, 1900. Serial No. 20,352. (No model.)

To aZZ whom, it may concern:

Be it known that I, FRANK J. RAAB, a citizen of the United States,residing at Toledo, in the county of Lucas and State of Ohio, haveinvented new and useful Improvements in Telegraph-Keys, of which thefollowing is a specification.

This invention relates to new and useful improvements in telegraph-keys;and the primary object is to provide a portable device of simple anddurable construction which is adapted to be used in lieu of the keyordinarily employed by operators suffering from paralysis or what ismore commonly known as ,operators cramp.

A further object is to provide a device of this character whereby thespeed of the operators may be increased and firmer writing obtained withthe minimum effort. 7

To these ends the invention consists in providing a stem which ispivoted within the end of a preferably tubular casing and the innermostend of which is adapted to be pressed into contact with a stud which issecured within the casing. This stud is in contact with one of the wiresof the circuit, while the stem before referred to is secured to thesecond wire. Suitable means is employed for holding the stem normallyout of contact with the stud. Suitable meansis also provided whereby theline-circuit maybe closed while transmitting a message and when theoperator wishes to move the hand.

The invention also consists in the novel construction and combination ofparts hereinafter more fully described and claimed, and illustrated inthe accompanying drawings, showing the preferred form ofmy invention,and in which Figure 1 is a side elevation. Fig. 2 is a centrallongitudinal section through the device, and Fig. 3 is a detail view ofthe interior tube of the device.

Referring to said figures by numerals of reference, 1 is a casing,preferably formed of hard rubber and having a removable cap or end 2,which is perforated to receive wires 3 of the circuit. These wires arepreferably secured at their free ends to rings 4, secured to oppositesides of a ring 5, formed of suitable insulating material. This ring,which is formed at the end of the wires, is secured to an ordinarytelegraph-key in any suitable manner, as by opening the adjusting-screwfar enough to admit said ring therebetween. The opposite end of one ofthe wires is socured to the reduced end 6 of a tube 7, which is securedwithin the casing 1 in any desired manner. This tube is cut away at oneside, forming a spring-strip 8, from the end of which projects athreaded stud 9, which extends through a perforation within the easingand is provided with a suitable cap or knob 10. Projecting from theopposite side of the tube 7, at the end thereof, is a screw 11, to whichis secured one end of a spring 12, which is connected at its oppositeend to an eye 13, extending from a stem 14. This stem is secured at itsend to a ball 15, and it is pivoted within the end of the tube 7 upon apin 16, as shown. The inner end of the stem is beveled, as shown at .17,and projects above the beveled end of a threaded stud or screw 18, whichis mounted within the reduced end 6 of the tube and insulated therefrom,as by means of hard rubber 19. This screw is provided with a head 20,whereby the same may be adjusted backward or'forward within the tube,and it is secured in any desired manner to the end of the second wire 3,heretofore referred to.

The ball 15 maybe of any desired material and can, if desired, behollow.

I do not wish to restrict myself to any particular means for securingthe spring to the stem and tube, as any suitable device may be employed.

When it is desired to operate the device, the same is held in theposition of a pencil when writing and the ball pressed upon the table orother structure thereunder. This movement, as is obvious, will cause thestem to swing back and forth upon its pivot, making and breaking thecircuit at the point where the beveled end of said stem contacts withthe screw 18. It is obvious that the spring will hold the stem normallyout of contact with the screw 18. It will be seen that by depressing theknob 10 the stem may be pressed into contact with'screw 18 and held insuch position when the operator desires to move the position of thehand, thereby holding the circuit closed.

By referring to the drawings it will be seen that the circuit passesfrom thesource through one of the wires 3 to the screw 19, to which itis secured by means of nuts, as shown in the drawings. The current-willthen pass along said screw, which is insulated from the balance of thedevice, into the stem 14 when the same is placed ,in contact with thescrew. The current then passes out through the remaining wire 3 by wayof the pivot-pin 16 or the spring 8, if said spring is depressed, andthe tube 7, said wire being secured to the tube.

I do not restrict myself to the use of any particular material in themanufacture of this device, but preferably form the ends of thecontact-screw 18 and the stem of platinum.

While I have shown the wires entering the casing at the end thereof,they may, if desired, be admitted at a point near the forward end. I

In the foregoing description I have shown the preferred form of myinvention; butI do not limit myself thereto, as I am aware thatmodifications may be made therein without departing from the spirit orsacrificing any of the advantages thereof, and I therefore reserve theright to make all such changes as fairly fall-within the scope of myinvention.

Having thus fully described my invention, what I claim as new, anddesire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. In a telegraph-key, the combination with a casing, of a stem pivotedtherein and havinga beveled free end, an adjustable stud having abeveled end adjacent to the corresponding end of the stem, wiresconnected to said stud and stem respectively, a spring adapted to holdthe stem normally outof contact with the stud and means lying within andextending through the casing'for forcing said stem and stud together.

2. The combination with a casing; ofa stem pivoted therein and having abeveled end, a stud having a beveled end and adj ustably secured withinthe casing, insulating material between the stud and casing,'aspring-strip formed within the casing, a knob thereon and projectingthrough said casing, a spring for holding the stem normally out ofcontact with the stud, and wires connected to the stem and studrespectively.

3. The combination with a casing, of a tube therein, a stem pivotedwithin the tube and having a beveled end, a stud having a beveled endand adjustably secured within the tube, insulating material between thestud and tube, a strip formed within the tube, a knob thereon andprojecting through the easing, a ball upon the end of the stem, a springfor holding said stem normally out of contact with the stud and Wiresconnected to the stem and stud respectively.

4:. In a telegraph-key, the combination with a casing, of a stem pivotedtherein and extending therefrom, a beveled inner end to the stem, a knobat the opposite end of said stem, a stud adjustable within the casing,and having a beveled end adjacent to the corresponding end of the stem,wires connected to the stem and stud respectively, and means for holdingthe stem normally out of contact with the stud.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

FRANK RAAB.

Witnesses:

REGINALD B. LEISTER, GEO. R. LOVE.

